2011 NBA Mock Draft

I'm not gonna lie to you: This year's NBA Draft has one probable All-Star, one very good No. 2 player, and then a whoooooooole lot of question marks. Of course, that doesn't mean draft night will be any less interesting. I'll have an update in June when teams' draft plans become a bit clearer, but the first addition of our mock draft is more about what I think teams should do on June 23...

NBA Mock Draft

1

Cavaliers(from Clippers)

Kyrie Irving, PG, DukeYou can etch this pick in stone. Irving was the best player in college basketball before he suffered a major toe injury last November. He’s a true point guard who can create and score in the halfcourt, or make plays in the open floor. And, yes, this is the pick the Clippers gave up in order to dump Baron Davis and his bloated salary.

2

Timberwolves

Derrick Williams, PF/SF, ArizonaThe T-Wolves will do everything they can to trade this pick (man they needed a point guard like Irving!). But unless someone really shines during the pre-draft process, Williams is clearly the second-best player in this draft class. He’s not a carry-your-franchise superstar, but he’s an incredibly explosive power forward with improving skills. He’ll make a good No. 2 scorer.

3

Jazz(from Nets)

Enes Kanter, PF/C, Kentucky/TurkeyThis is where the draft starts to get interesting. The Jazz got this pick from the Deron Williams trade, so they need to hit a home run here. That’s why they should roll the dice on Kanter. Because the NCAA declared him ineligible at Kentucky, he hasn’t played in an organized game in more than a year. But he’s a crafty power forward who can play center as well. He’s not super-athletic, but he plays physical and can also step out and make jump shots.

4

Cavaliers

Jan Vesely, PF, Czech RepublicThe Cavs will land their next franchise player in Irving with the first pick. They should be willing to take a chance with this selection. Vesely is a super-athletic forward with lots of upside. At worst, he should be a solid defender who can get some transition baskets playing alongside Irving. And if he continues to develop his skills, he could be one of the most well-rounded forwards in the league.

5

Raptors

Kemba Walker, PG, ConnecticutThe Raptors might grab Brandon Knight instead, but here’s why I think Walker is the second-best guard in the draft. First, he’s incredibly athletic and quick. He’ll be able to create on his own at the next level. At the very least, he’ll provide instant offense as a great sixth man. Second, he’s a proven winner who can take and make the big shots. Knight, on the other hand, wilted in his Final Four loss to Walker’s Huskies.

6

Wizards

Jonas Valanciunas, PF, LithuaniaThe Wizards are pretty bummed out getting only the sixth pick. They should be thinking upside, upside, upside here. Valanciunas is raw—he still needs to add some muscle, but has the frame to do so. But he’s also very long and very athletic with good skills around the basket. As a teenager he was a solid contributor in the Lithuanian league, one of the highest-level leagues in the world.

7

Kings

Brandon Knight, PG, KentuckyA lot of experts have Knight going much higher than this, but I’m not buying it. He does have better size than Kemba Walker, he has a sweet three-point stroke, and he is young (remember, Walker had a nightmare game at the Final Four when he was Knight’s age). But I don’t think Knight is a good enough athlete to get his shots off consistently (or defend top point guards). And I don’t think he has the natural point guard instincts to be a game manager point guard. I see him as an undersized shooting guard whose role will be to catch-and-shoot, which could make him a solid player alongside aggressive combo guard Tyreke Evans.

8

Pistons

Bismack Biyombo, PF, CongoWhen the Pistons were one of the best in the NBA during the mid 2000’s, they were built around Ben Wallace. Well, Biyombo could be a poor man’s Big Ben a few years down the road. He’s a strong, athletic, shot-blocking force. He’s worked his way into significant minutes in Spain’s ACB league. And considering ACB is the second-best basketball league in the world after the NBA (it’s a much higher level than college basketball in the U.S.), that’s no small feat for an 18-year-old. If he ever develops any sort of offensive game (right now, all he can do is dunk), he’ll be one of the best in this draft class.

9

Bobcats

Marcus Morris, PF, KansasThe Bobcats are searching for a replacement since trading Gerald Wallace to Portland at last year’s trade deadline. Morris isn’t on the same level as Wallace, but he’s an athletic forward who could be an intriguing No. 2 or 3 option if he continues to improve his jump shot.

10

Bucks

Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Diego StateLeonard is a big, powerful small forward who can bring what head coach Scott Skiles wants most: defense. I think he’ll fit right in with Milwaukee’s style.

11

Warriors

Kenneth Faried, PF, Morehead StateFree agent addition David Lee didn’t make much of a difference last year, as the Warriors were still one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA. Enter Faried, a rebounding machine who spurred Morehead’s upset over Louisville in last year’s NCAA Tournament. He’s not much of an offensive player, but he’ll bring what the Warriors need.

12

Jazz

Alec Burks, SG/PG, ColoradoIf they don’t grab a point guard with that No. 3 pick, Burks makes a lot of sense for the Jazz. He’s a combo guard who can score, but he was also making some strides as a game manager last year. He’d fit well alongside Devin Harris, a point guard with a scorer’s mentality.

13

Suns

Tristan Thompson, PF, TexasThe Suns’ window for a championship in the Steve Nash era has just about closed. They should make one more desperate run by picking up a player who can help immediately, like Thompson. He’s a long-armed, left-handed power forward who could pick up some points and rebounds off the bench next season. And maybe Nash could teach him to shoot free throws.

14

Rockets

Chris Singleton, SF/PF, Florida StateI think Singleton should go higher than this, but I’m not sure he will because he’s not much of an offensive player. What he is is a relentless defensive stopper with the size to guard some power forwards and the athleticism to stay with a lot of shooting guards. The Rockets couldn’t stop anyone last year, but Singleton could put an end to that.

15

Pacers

Donatas Motiejunas, PF, LithuaniaThe 7-footer has a rare blend of size and perimeter skills. He started to add some muscle last season, though he still needs to add a little more if he’s going to bang on the boards in the NBA. He’s been a great inside-outside scoring threat in Italy despite his youth (20 years old last season). But the worrisome part of Motiejunas’s game is a seeming lack of intensity. He shies away from contact too often, and doesn’t show a lot of effort on defense.

16

76ers

Klay Thompson, SG, Washington StateThe Sixers need someone who can knock down a three-pointer, and Thompson, son of former Blazers and Lakers forward Mychal Thompson, could step into that role. He’s a little one-dimensional, but at this point in the draft teams aren’t going to find a future All-Star.

17

Knicks

Markieff Morris, PF, KansasEvery year it’s the same thing: The Knicks need defense. This year, they’ll get it in the “other” Morris twin. Markieff was more of a role player to twin brother Marcus at KU, but he’ll do the dirty work that—defense and rebounding—the Knicks need alongside star Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

18

Wizards(from Hawks)

Tobias Harris, PF, TennesseeHarris didn’t dominate as a freshman, but he showed flashes. While he doesn’t have the athleticism of a op forward, H\he has a nice inside-outside skill set and could be a valuable role player for the Wiz.

19

Bobcats(from Hornets)

Jimmer Fredette, PG/SG, BYUIf there’s one thing the Bobcats are lacking, it’s excitement. Fredette is far from a perfect prospect, but he’ll definitely bring some excitement. He can score, so he’ll at least be a nice guy to have on the bench. What the Bobcats will try to do is improve his defense and get him to trust his teammates. Remember, Jimmer didn’t have much talent around him at BYU. Playing alongside NBA-caliber players should make him a more willing passer, and possible the Bobcats’ point guard of the future.

20

Timberwolves(From Grizzlies)

Josh Selby, PG/SG, KansasMany thought Selby would be the best freshman in college basketball last year. But because of eligibility issues, then injuries, he didn’t fulfill his promise. He was also asked to play off the ball, which isn’t his strength. The T-Wolves could try to make him into a point guard, and he could add some explosive scoring to their team. This late in the first round, he’s definitely worth the risk.

21

Trail Blazers

Kyle Singler, SF, DukeThe Blazers would do well to bring Singler home. An Oregon native, he’s a versatile forward who plays hard on the defensive end. He’d be a nice guy to have in the second unit.

22

Nuggets

Lucas Nogueira, C/PF, BrazilTapping into the Brazil pipeline worked once for Denver. That’s where they found star big man Nene. Nogueira is years away from being ready to contribute, but the Nuggets are already loaded with a deep roster of young talent. The last thing they need is another young role player. Nogueira is very raw and very skinny, but few 7-footers can leap like he can. He could develop into a great compliment to Nene.

23

Rockets(from Magic)

Jordan Hamilton, SF, TexasI have the Rockets going defense with Chris Singleton earlier in the first round, so why not go offense with pick No. 2. Hamilton has an NBA build and has shown the ability to catch-and-shoot. He needs to learn to move the ball more effectively and give better effort on defense, but he could at least help out as a role player off the bench.

24

Thunder

Tyler Honeycutt, SG/SF, UCLAHoneycutt is intriguing to me. He has good size and a high basketball IQ, and a lot of UCLA players have proven to be better in the NBA than they were in college. With the ability to do a little bit of everything, he would seem to be an ideal guy for a Thunder team that has their young stars in place.

25

Celtics

Trey Thompkins, PF, GeorgiaThe Celtics have to get younger in the frontcourt. They added Jeff Green at the trade deadling last year, and Thompkins could be another piece to the puzzle. He’s not much of an athlete and is likely only a part-time player in the NBA. But he has a very nice shooting stroke for a big man. He could definitely finish off some Rajon Rondo passes with some made jumpers.

26

Mavericks

Marshon Brooks, SG, ProvidenceBrooks was a great player on a bad team last year, but can he become a role player on a good one? It’s worth finding out late in the first round. Brooks has a reputation as a hard worker, and with his scorer’s mentality he could definitely provide some scoring punch off the bench.

27

Nets(from Lakers)

Jeremy Tyler, PF/C, San Diego High School/JapanRight now, Tyler’s story is a sad one. Like Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, he decided to play overseas rather than going to college. Though, unlike Jennings, Tyler left before his senior year of high school. He had a disastrous stint in Israel and ended up quitting midseason two years ago. Last year, he was a solid reserve for a team in Japan. He’s still a teenager and has loads of potential. He’s huge an an elite athlete, and some NBA teams feel he would have been a lottery pick if he had stayed in the U.S. There are concerns about his maturity, but Tyler’s upside makes him worth the risk this late in the first round, especially for a rebuilding team like the Nets.

28

Bulls(from Heat)

Davis Bertans, SF, LatviaBertans is a long (6’ 10”) wing player who’s still growing into his body. The 18-year-old told Draft Express that he grew eight inches in the past two years! While it could be a while before he’s ready to hold up to the physical pounding of an NBA game, his shooting is definitely at an NBA level. Bertans is deadly from pretty much anywhere on the court. The Bulls could use a second deep threat (along with Kyle Korver) to stretch opposing defenses, and Bertans could be that guy a few years down the road.

29

Spurs

Nikola Vucevic, PF, USCThe Spurs need to replace frontcourt enforcer Antonio McDyess, who will likely retire during the offseason. Vucevic could fill the role nicely. He’s not a great offensive player, but he’s tall with long arms, and he showed a willingness to get physical at USC.

30

Bulls

Travis Leslie, SG, GeorgiaThe Bulls should keep surrounding Derrick Rose with athletic role players, and they don’t come much more athletic than Leslie. He was a human highlight reel with his dunks at UGa. While he’s never going to be much help at the offensive end of the court, he definitely has the size and strength to become the kind of gritty defender Chicago craves.